[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling":3,"chapter-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-101":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Top Scholar of Da Ling",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2288936,4475,"Chapter 101: Killed Until Eyes Ran Red","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-101",101,"\u003Cp>Hearing the chill in Jiang Mingyu’s words, Old Li’s ecstatic expression vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He widened his eyes, lips parting and closing, trying to explain but only uttering incoherent stammers: “I… my lord…” his voice trembling with despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu waved his hand impatiently, coldly saying: “What are you standing there for? Don’t you know how to send this so-called archer back to his hometown?” His brow furrowed, eyes icy as blades, every word dripping with murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, several soldiers rushed forward, roughly dragging Old Li away. He screamed in desperate pleas, his cries sharp and terrified. Then came a series of bowstrings snapping—his screams cut off abruptly, replaced by the dull thud of arrows piercing flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu didn’t even glance at Old Li; his eyes remained utterly blank, as indifferent as crushing an ant. He turned to Yang Dazhuang, whose face was ashen, body shaking violently, retreating helplessly like a trapped beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Yang, isn’t it time we settled our accounts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight of authority, like a judge about to pronounce a criminal’s fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He repeated his earlier accusation: “You and your rabble first gathered in the mountains, terrorizing the people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu stood to the side, watching silently, inwardly admiring Jiang Mingyu’s bearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu continued: “Then you defied imperial troops and conspired to assassinate me. Under the laws of the Great Feng, what crime do you deserve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Goudan stepped forward, shouting angrily: “Conspiring to murder a court official? The punishment is the extermination of three clans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly and nodded in agreement: “Correct. Extermination of three clans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his expression turned instantly icy: “Yet today, I am merciful—I’ll kill only you. Are you ready to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ground, Yang Dazhuang trembled under the overwhelming pressure, his pale face turning even whiter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to already feel death approaching, even ignoring the blade at his nape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment of life and death, his fear overcame all else. He crawled frantically forward, clutching Jiang Mingyu’s leg, sobbing: “My lord, I’m sorry! I’ll never dare again! I swear I’ll change—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, a dagger gleaming with cold light slipped from his rough sleeve. In Yang Dazhuang’s hand, the blade flashed with ruthless brilliance, now his only hope of survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Dazhuang gripped the dagger without hesitation, suddenly transformed into a demon, his eyes filled with grotesque murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lunged violently toward Jiang Mingyu’s abdomen, lips curling into a cruel grin: “If I can take a royal envoy down with me before I die, it’s worth it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as the dagger neared Jiang Mingyu’s body, a cold snort sounded from the side, followed by a flash of silver. Yang Dazhuang’s body jerked violently, his eyes wide with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the stunned gaze of all, Tu Kexiluo drew his longsword and coldly severed Yang Dazhuang’s neck. Blood gushed like a fountain, red mist splattering the snow and drifting in the cold wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head severed from the neck, rolled onto the snow, staining the white with blood—a horrifying sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Kexiluo withdrew his blade, coldly scanning the corpse on the ground: “You’ll never change in this life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu seemed to snap out of his shock, his gaze steadying amid the chaos. He looked at Tu Kexiluo, eyes filled with gratitude and approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Dazhuang’s body lay on the ground. In the ensuing silence, Jiang Mingyu’s face gradually regained composure: “Good. Very good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the surrounding crowd, his voice calm yet resolute: “I never realized the bandits of Heifeng Ridge were all such fearless heroes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene froze in time—whether bandits or soldiers, all fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Dazhuang’s death was like thunder, shattering their souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu spoke again: “Tell me, how should I deal with you?” His gaze swept over them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the shadow of death, they lost all their former arrogance, leaving only deep terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s lips curled into a cold smile: “Pardon? Impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone grew colder still, as if he stood on the edge of life and death, having seen through all human frailty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s eyes were icy, without the slightest hesitation—he gave the order: “I have no time to waste on you. Cut them all down. Eradicate them root and branch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he spoke, the executioners moved instantly, raising their gleaming longswords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy blades reflected dim, chilling light in the air—about to fall in the next instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kneeling bandits wore expressions of utter despair, wailing helplessly, with nowhere to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp decapitation sounds rang out, the wet crunch of blades cutting through flesh echoing across the empty mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the bandits collapsed, hot blood spurting forth, soon pooling into a crimson lake on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air reeked of thick, cloying blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu watched it all expressionlessly, hands clasped behind his back, eyes as cold as frost, unmoved by the brutality before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the last bandit breathed his last, Jiang Mingyu gave a slight wave, ordering the troops to stand down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked among the ground littered with grotesque severed heads, glancing idly, then ordered his men to preserve them carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s eyes were cold as he surveyed the pile of scattered heads, coldly instructing his men to collect and preserve them—take them back to the city for rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone remained calm and composed, unaffected by the carnage around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Jiang Mingyu’s murderous rage had not yet subsided—he immediately planned to lead the army against the next target. His face brimmed with killing intent, eyes glowing with a feverish red, clearly still drunk on slaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhu Ge Yu spoke with solemn caution, his voice earnest and careful: “Master, wait. Our troops are exhausted. They need proper rest. Let us camp tonight, march tomorrow—only then will we have full strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s face darkened, snapping back irritably: “So what are you suggesting?” His eyes revealed impatience—he was clearly annoyed by Zhu Ge Yu’s advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu did not flinch, continuing patiently: “The army must rest to regain strength. This is prudent. As the old saying goes—” His tone was firm, his manner earnest and resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment, then accepted his advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded: “As you say.” Then ordered the army to set up camp and prepare to march at dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked slowly past the scattered corpses, his face gradually regaining calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jiang Mingyu wandered through the bandit stronghold, Zhu Ge Yu slipped in quietly. He bowed slightly, respectfully greeting Jiang Mingyu: “Master, our losses: thirty-two wounded, forty-eight dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was steady, yet unmistakably heavy with grief and unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For any army, this was a crushing blow—and as the strategist, Zhu Ge Yu bore some responsibility for the casualties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu waved his hand, a trace of comfort in his expression: “To forge a steel army, this is an unavoidable step. Grieve, but endure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was calm, yet Zhu Ge Yu sensed warmth and care beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu continued: “Besides, they died fighting bandits, for the people of Shangmu. They died with purpose. I’ve wiped out every bandit on Heifeng Ridge—this avenges them. They may rest in peace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words seemed meant to comfort Zhu Ge Yu—but more so, to comfort himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu knew his duty was to protect the people of Shangmu. Even at this cost, it was worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His inner turmoil reflected both his respect for life and his sense of mission and responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet faced with the decision to exterminate bandits, his heart remained complex. He respected life, yet the cruelty of reality forced him to choose—to protect the many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Jiang Mingyu’s gaze, Zhu Ge Yu felt a wave of helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he agreed with Jiang Mingyu’s decision, he could not escape his inner struggle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he chose silence—he understood this decision was beyond his power to change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An awkward silence settled. Jiang Mingyu sensed the shift and changed the subject: “How is the task I assigned you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu sighed, his voice weary: “Don’t worry. The over ten thousand taels of silver from Mount Sanqing have been sent back to Shangmu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sounded satisfied with the task’s completion, yet his fatigue was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a strategist, planning the details of a battle was exhausting—especially after combat, when body and mind were drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Except for the last remaining Scorpion, there are no more bandits in Shangmu capable of posing a threat. No more surprises.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried a hint of relief—he clearly felt responsibility for Shangmu’s peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should these silver suffice to feed your city garrison’s fifty thousand men for a month or two?” Jiang Mingyu asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was lighter, as if, after countless hardships, a measure of relief had finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew supplies were vital for any army—especially during war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded, satisfied: “With the silver hidden at Heifeng Ridge and Scorpion Gully, our troops will easily survive the spring famine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze turned toward the distance, his expression grave: “Zhu Ge Yu, how do you think we should fight the next battle?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1528,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8eb2c2aa6b988d795ec1c38c2e793879c0752a75bdccc21ee2a79ef5ca57a554","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-102","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-100",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]